Storage Technologies Research Articles

Investigating the impacts of the Dual Carbon Targets on energy and carbon flows in China

As the world’s largest carbon emitter, China has committed to ambitious “Dual Carbon Targets” to address climate change. To investigate the impact of the Dual Carbon Targets on energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, CO2 emissions were calculated, and Sankey diagrams of energy and CO2 flows for 2018-2022 were drawn based on the latest energy statistics. This study finds that China’s primary energy supply was 5.429 Gtce, with terminal energy consumption at 3.801 Gtce in 2022. CO2 emissions reached 12.01 Gt, marking a 12.24% increase since 2018. Emission intensity varies regionally, being higher in the north and lower in the south, with a national average of 0.1 kg/CNY. Coal continues to dominate energy consumption at 64%, though its share of emissions is declining, particularly in transportation and residential sectors. By 2060, electricity is expected to become the primary energy source, significantly lowering carbon emissions, with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage technologies playing a crucial role in achieving the targets. This analysis provides critical insights into China’s transition to a low-carbon economy, serving as a valuable resource for policymakers to optimize the energy structure and meet environmental goals.

Pre-magnetization smashing hydrated vanadium ions to improve redox flow batteries performance

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) has received extensive attention due to its intrinsic safety and high scalability. Currently, there are still deficiencies of low energy efficiency and higher unit capacity cost in VRFB energy storage. Continuously optimizing the battery performance through reducing electrode polarization losses is a necessary way to achieve efficient VRFB energy storage technology. In this study, a method of pre-magnetizing the electrolyte to improve the performance of the battery was proposed. A permanent magnet with an intensity of 0.9 T was used to pre-magnetize the vanadium-ion aqueous electrolyte before feed into the battery stack and working-on, it was found that the diffusion capacity of vanadium ions increased by 133.6 % after pre-magnetized even if the external magnetic field was removed. Meanwhile, both of the charge transfer and concentration polarization resistance of the electrode were reduced. The energy efficiency (EE) of the battery was increased by 6.4 % in the charge–discharge test at current density of 300 mA cm−2. The power density increased by 6.19 % with current density 400 mA cm−2 at most, and it prefers to continuously increase as current larger. The electrolyte pre-magnetization showed significant positive improvements on the electrode reaction kinetics and battery charge–discharge cycle.

Efficient sodium ion transport enhanced by anionophilic sites in polymer-supported plastic crystal electrolyte for high performance sodium metal anode

The design of sodium metal batteries (SMBs) is seen as an excellent solution to solve the request of next-generation energy storage technologies with high energy density, high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the direct use of sodium metal as an anode produces the dendritic sodium, which harms the normal operation of battery. Inspired by solid-state lithium metal batteries, solid-state electrolyte (SSE) designed for SMBs effectively solves this shortcoming. Herein, a novel SSE with mask-based polymer membrane supporting plastic crystal electrolyte with ZIF-67 (MPPZ) is designed. The experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the addition of ZIF-67 in MPPZ electrolyte availably fixes TFSI− and achieves high Na+ transference number. Additionally, a protective layer of NaF is formed in situ on the surface of sodium metal to avoid side reactions between Na and MPPZ electrolyte while further guide the uniform deposition of Na. Accordingly, Na||Na symmetric battery with NaF-coated Na metal anode and MPPZ electrolyte has a stable deposition and stripping of Na for 3000 h. The assembled room temperature solid-state sodium-sulfur battery (RTSSSSB) exhibits a good cycle stability. This study provides an innovative thinking for the construction of high performance dendrite-free SMBs.

Cr3+-Activated Deep Trap Electron-Trapping Biphasic Mixture of Zn (Al,Ga)2O4 and Zn2GeO4 for Multilevel Information Storage by Trap Multiplexing and Wavelength Multiplexing.

Double wavelength emitting phosphors with hypersensitive thermal response are important for optical/thermal sensors and multiplexing optical data storage technology. However, it is a daunting challenge to develop multicolor electron-trapping materials with superheat sensitivity and anomalous quenching luminescence characteristics for information storage. Here, based on the selection of host lattice and the control of doping ion types, we have designed Mn2+- and/or Cr3+-activated persistent materials with excellent fluorescence properties. Among these phosphors, Mn,Cr co-activated biphasic mixture exhibits not only sensitive anomalous thermosensitive fluorescence properties but also multicolor and multimode fluorescence emission characteristics derived from Mn and Cr simultaneously. The corresponding multimode fluorescence mechanism is proposed based on afterglow energy transfer and deepening trap effect. Especially, based on the excellent fluorescence performances, these phosphors as information storage medium demonstrate multilevel information storage by a combination of the trap multiplexing and wavelength multiplexing technologies. The study here provides not only the ideas for designing and synthesizing new electronic materials but also a material foundation for the fourth generation of optical information storage and encryption.

Fast kinetics for lithium storage rendered by Li3VO4 nanoparticles/porous N-doped carbon nanofibers

Li3VO4 (LVO) has been recognized as an alternative anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its appropriate lithium storage potential and capacity merits. However, its practical application is seriously hindered by slow reaction kinetics stemming from poor electronic conductivity. Herein, Li3VO4/porous N-doped carbon nanofibers (LVO/PNC NFs) are firstly designed and fabricated via an electrospinning method, utilizing the thermal decomposition characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA). The porous N-doped carbon nanofibers provide efficient electrolyte diffusion paths and facilitate ion transport. In addition, LVO nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed along the nanofibers to effectively inhibit particle aggregation. The obtained LVO/PNC NFs are evaluated as anodes for LIBs and deliver high reversible capacity of 768 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.2 A g−1, along with excellent rate capability (average capacity of 355 mAh g−1 at 8 A g−1 after 6 periodic rate testing) and long cycling life (286 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles at 4 A g−1). The special porous nanofiber represents an effective strategy for improving the electronic conductivity, inhibiting particle aggregation, and ensuring rapid ion/charge transport towards advanced energy storage technologies.

A molten salt energy storage integrated with combined heat and power system: scheme design and performance analysis

To investigate the flexibility and economic characteristics of a molten salt-combined heat and power (CHP) integrated system under different heat sources, this paper proposes a design scheme for a molten salt-CHP system based on flue gas heat storage, comparing it with main steam heat storage and reheated steam heat source schemes. First, a molten salt heat release sub-loop is designed, where the steam heated by the molten salt can either compensate for heating demands or enter the low-pressure turbine for work, meeting the flexible operation requirements of the unit. Secondly, in response to fluctuations in temperature and pressure parameters of the main steam and reheated steam in the flue gas heat storage scheme, a water-spray desuperheating device is arranged. Finally, a simulation experiment based on a 350 MW CHP was conducted, and the results show that the flue gas molten salt heat storage technology significantly reduces energy loss on the boiler side. Underrated load, compared to the main steam and reheated steam heat storage schemes, the flue gas heat storage scheme has the highest boiler exergy efficiency and total energy utilization efficiency, at 55.8% and 59.1% respectively. During the thermal storage process, the coal consumption index of the flue gas heat storage scheme decreases with increasing load, while conversely, during the heat release process, it increases with the load. The peak-shaving capacity increases with the load, reaching 78.4 MWh under the 75% THA condition. In the steam extraction heating scenario, coupling with the molten salt subsystem can expand the safe heating operation range of the original unit, increasing the maximum peak shaving range by 13.9%, and increasing the maximum heating capacity by 65.4%.

High throughput edit distance computation on FPGA-based accelerators using HLS

Edit distance is a computational grand challenge problem to quantify the minimum number of editing operations required to modify one string of characters to the other, finding many applications of natural language processing. In recent years, relevant and increasing interest has also emerged from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) applications, like Next Generation Sequencing and DNA storage technologies. Both applications share two crucial features: i) the information is coded into the four bases of DNA and ii) the level of operational noise is still high causing errors in the data, requiring inclusion in the workflow of the computation of algorithms such as the edit distance for finding similarities between sequences. To boost this computation many solutions are available in the literature. Among them, the FPGAs are largely used since the data domain of those applications is strings of 4 characters represented as two-bit values, inconveniently fitting the basic data types of ordinary CPUs and GPUs, with additional benefits of providing a high level of parallelism and low processing latency. This contribution presents a computing- and energy-efficient design implementing the edit distance algorithm combining metaprogramming and High-Level Synthesis. We also assess the performance of our design targeting recent FPGA-based accelerators. Our solution uses nearly 90% of FPGA basic-block hardware resources achieving about 90% of computing efficiency delivering a maximum throughput of 16.8 TCUPS and an energy efficiency of 46 Mpair/Joule, enabling the use of FPGAs as a new class of accelerators for High Performance Computing in DNA applications.

Electrophoretic deposition of LiFePO4 and carbon black: A numerical study to explore longitudinal trends using taguchi design

Developing Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) for Composite Structural Batteries (CSBs) could revolutionise energy storage technology. CSBs offer an innovative solution by seamlessly integrating batteries into structures and effectively reducing weight and space constraints. Despite its successful implementation across various fields, EPD method still lacks comprehensive understanding of the underlying physical and chemical processes due to the number of variables involved. In this study the effects of key parameters associated with the process are investigated with a coupled FEM and analytical approach to find correlations with the deposition process. A Taguchi Design of Experiment with five parameters, namely voltage, concentration, relative weight ratio of LiFePO4 – carbon black particles, length and perimeter of the electrodes is implemented to identify the correlations with mass deposited, thickness of the coating and yield rate when LiFePO4 and Carbon Black particles in ethanol suspension are used. In order to capture the variation over time, each parameter is studied at six different time of deposition. A concentration that optimises yield rate resulting in thickness and mass deposition is identified. The resistivity of the suspension dictates the yield rate dynamics, allowing it to be designed within a specific range to meet requirements of different applications.

Organizational and Economic Mechanisms for Promoting Residential Battery Energy Storage Systems in Ukraine

Energy storage technologies are one of the ways to decrease the intermittency of renewable energy such as sun or wind. The article aims to consider the organizational and economic mechanisms of promoting residential battery energy storage systems (R-BESS) in Ukraine, as households have ensured the significant growth of installed capacities of residential PV installations, reaching 1.4 GW by 2024. The energy system of Ukraine faces balancing challenges, and partial covering of the demand for energy by households with the help of R-BESS should be beneficial for the energy system. Using methods of levelized cost of electricity and cost of storing electricity, and based on the projected electricity demand and the number of R-BESS, measures were suggested to stimulate the R-BESS installation. Significant investments are required to employ R-BESS, reaching EUR2024 2.9-3.6 billion by 2050. If the interest rates for loans are subsidized, the expenditures on subsidies will reach only EUR2024 35-44 million, and the households themselves must allocate the remainder of the funds.

Optimal capacity allocation and scheduling strategy for CSP+PV hybrid standalone power plants

Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation, as an important clean technology, has been widely adopted globally, especially in remote island areas where access to the main power grid is unavailable. PV power can serve as the primary energy source for standalone island grids. However, due to its dependence on sunlight, PV power output fluctuates, particularly during nighttime and under poor lighting conditions, necessitating the integration of energy storage technology or alternative power generation methods to ensure continuous power supply. Concentrating solar power (CSP) generation, as an emerging technology, can provide efficient power output when solar radiation is abundant and ensure continuous power supply through thermal energy storage systems during adverse weather conditions or nighttime. Although CSP offers advantages such as dispatchability, its high construction and maintenance costs may pose challenges in commercial deployment. Hybrid solar power plants combining both PV and CSP technologies leverage the strengths of both, ensuring more stable and economically viable power output. This study establishes a model for hybrid solar power plants, considering the impact of PV and CSP component capacities and proportions on performance and costs, i.e., capacity allocation. To maximize the overall benefits of standalone microgrids while ensuring the stability of the power station, a capacity allocation method guided by economic dispatch is proposed. Through iterative analysis, the optimal configuration is determined to minimize the system's equivalent annual costs. Simulation experiments validate the financial feasibility of hybrid solar power plants and the reliability of the proposed configuration method.

Core-shell Cu7S4@PDA nanoboxes as a novel cathode for aluminum batteries

Battery energy storage technology is key to unlocking green renewable power's full potential. Cathode material is a key factor affecting the performance of aluminum batteries (ABs). In this paper, a novel core-shell Cu7S4@PDA nanobox cathode material for ABs was designed and prepared by a reasonable method. At 0.2 A/g, the Cu7S4@PDA nanoboxes can provide a reversible capacity of 142 mAh/g after 100 cycles, and the coulombic efficiency (CE) of almost all cycles is maintained around 100 %. Even at 3 A/g, Cu7S4@PDA can deliver a capacity of 68 mAh/g. The results show that PDA coating reduces the irreversible dissolution of S in Cu7S4, prevents the pulverization and agglomeration of Cu7S4, and improves its structural stability and conductivity.

Stacked borophene-based electric double-layer supercapacitors

As an exceptional metallic Dirac material, borophene shows promise for superior mechanical and electronic properties, making it increasingly significant in electronics. Both theoretical predictions and experimental evidence underscore its potential in energy storage applications. However, due to existing limitations in synthesis techniques, the application of stacked borophene as flexible electrodes remains unexplored. This study aims to overcome these challenges by introducing an innovative in situ co-eutectic salt method for synthesizing AB-stacked hydrogenated borophene sheets. These sheets are then employed to fabricate large-scale electrodes and construct flexible electric double-layer supercapacitors based on borophene. The robust mechanical stability of stacked borophene facilitates significant improvements in interfacial characteristics and energy storage performance through rolling processes. This enhancement results in increased specific capacity, improved rate performance, and enhanced cyclic stability of thin-film electrodes. Specifically, the optimized borophene-based supercapacitor achieves a high specific areal capacitance of up to 417.3 mF/cm2 in an organic electrolyte at a current density of 1 mA/cm2, which represents a twofold improvement compared to non-stacked borophene structures. Remarkably, it retains over 88.3 % of this specific areal capacitance even at a high current density of 15 mA/cm2, demonstrating impressive rate capability. Furthermore, after 5000 charge–discharge cycles, the capacitance retention exceeds 89.3 %. This research is expected to catalyse the application and advancement of borophene in future flexible and portable electronic devices, highlighting its potential transformative impact in energy storage technologies.

Realization of building grade fire resistance in independent fire zone of energy storage system

Abstract Lithium battery energy storage technology is one of the most promising technologies in the field of energy storage. The fire prevention and control of energy storage system usually needs to consider the cooperation of various parts of the energy storage system. The domestic standard requirements for the fire resistance of energy storage system have not been completely established. In this paper, combined with the US standard and related fire resistance experimental standards, the relevant requirements and test methods for the fire insulation performance of battery cabinet of the energy storage system are studied, and a set of structural design methods and test schemes for the 2h fire resistance limit of the energy storage system are formed. The research shows that the fire insulation of the battery cabin has positive significance for reducing the energy consumption of the air conditioning of the energy storage product, improving the battery life, and enhancing the safety performance of the energy storage system. It is of great significance to study the suitable fire resistance limit of energy storage products for improving the land utilization rate of energy storage system and saving the construction cost.

Emerging mixed electronic-ionic conductivity in double perovskite (La2/3Sr1/3)2(Sn1/3Fe1/3Cu1/3)2O6-δ: Phase transitions, structural, optical and dielectric study

We report on the eco-friendly synthesis of a double perovskite compound (La2/3Sr1/3)2(Sn1/3Cu1/3Fe1/3)2O6-δ, attractive for sustainable applications due to its unique structural and conductive properties. The incorporation of Cu2+ (3d9) ions into the B sites of the perovskite structure enhanced octahedral distortion via the Jahn-Teller effect. X-ray crystallography and Rietveld structural analysis revealed a significant deviation in the octahedra of (Cu/Fe)O6 and (Sn/Fe)O6 from the ideal perovskite structure, resulting in a decreased overlap between the atomic orbitals. The material displays a high dielectric constant, evidenced by impedance measurements across varying temperatures and frequencies. The analysis highlighted a considerable influence of the grain intrinsic properties and the grain boundary dynamics on both the conduction mechanism and dielectric relaxation. Notably, the introduction of dopants significantly reduces the bandgap energy to 2.7eV, compared to the 4.3eV of SrSnO3. The bandgap reduction factor measured here is lower than that of other reported double-doped SrSnO3 compounds. At 493K, a transition in DSC measurements suggests a structural change of the conductivity from a purely electronic to an electronic-ionic conductivity. The smaller bandgap and enhanced conductivity, coupled with phase transitions lead to a mixed conductivity making this material particularly effective for the use in energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors and batteries with the aim of improving their capacity and efficiency. Additionally, due to its temperature sensitivity, it also has the potential to be used as a valuable component in sensor applications.

Characteristics of constant pressure dehydrogenation and construction of linear diffusion model for solid hydrogen storage materials: A case study of TiMn1.5 alloy

Solid-state hydrogen storage is considered to be the most promising hydrogen storage technology because of its high volumetric capacity and good security. The process of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of solid hydrogen storage materials can be characterized by a diffusion kinetic model, which can be used to guide the safe and efficient application of hydrogen storage materials. Currently, experimental study on the dehydrogenation characteristics under constant pressure outer boundary condition has not been carried out methodically, and a simple and reliable diffusion kinetic model under this condition should be established based on the experimental results. In this study, an experimental platform for hydrogen absorption and constant pressure dehydrogenation of solid hydrogen storage materials was independently established. The TiMn1.5 alloy and its interstitial hydrides were taken as the experimental research objects to conduct constant pressure dehydrogenation tests, and the dehydrogenation properties at different temperatures were systematically studied. The results show that the dehydrogenation rate decreases with the increase of testing time. The ultimate capacity of hydrogen release increases first and then decreases with the increasing temperature, reaching the maximum value at 30 °C. It is found that the diffusion coefficient increases linearly with time during constant pressure dehydrogenation process. On this basis, a linear diffusion kinetic model is established. The initial diffusion coefficient D0 calculated by the new model has a quadratic polynomial relationship with temperature, and the increase coefficient α of diffusion coefficient has a linear relationship with temperature. According to the mathematical expressions, the dehydrogenation process of TiMn1.5 alloy at different temperatures can be predicted. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for the safe, efficient and controllable application of hydrogen storage materials.

Youth Climate Questions

AbstractAnthropogenic climate change and environmental crises are pressing challenges of our time, with changes to the climate system observed in every global region. Disastrous impacts on nature, including people, have already been observed in the form of drought, floods and extreme heat events across the planet. This study examines the role of an interdisciplinary approach to exploring different responses to climate-related disasters and potential disasters. The work we report takes place in the context of recent research on dialogue on climate interventions with youth. Climate interventions are large-scale interventions into the Earth’s climate system and include proposals such as solar radiation management, ocean liming, and carbon capture and storage technologies. Research and development of climate interventions as a response to one set of disasters (in the present and in-the-making), created as a result of anthropogenic climate change, are associated with much uncertainty and controversy. We explored these uncertainties and controversies with young people, scientists and policymakers, resulting in a set of illustrated climate conversation cards. In this paper, we analyse the questions produced by young people to find requests for data and knowledge from across disciplines, and for an exploration of ethics, feelings, positions and priorities. We also found problematisations of technofixes and desire for socio-political action. The implications for science and disaster education are discussed.

Hydrate management strategies for CO2 injection into depleted gas reservoirs

Sequestering CO2 in depleted gas reservoirs using carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies has emerged as a viable strategy for mitigating global carbon emissions. However, CO2 hydrate formation during injection processes is challenging and poses a risk to the operational integrity and efficiency of sequestration projects. This study investigated CO2 hydrate formation dynamics within silica gel environments that closely mimicked the median pore size of natural sandstone reservoirs, particularly targeting depleted gas fields in the East Sea of Korea. Integrating kinetic insights into experimental hydrate formation assessments and molecular dynamics simulations provided a comprehensive understanding of the CO2 hydrate formation mechanisms, as well as the formation dynamics and stability of the CO2 hydrates. For example, the hydrate formation kinetics were significantly reduced in the small pores, suggesting the feasibility of implementing more economical hydrate inhibitor injection strategies during CO2 injection. Moreover, this study evaluated the inhibitory effects of NaCl and methanol on CO2 hydrate stability by accurately measuring the three-phase (H-Lw-V) equilibria and employing silica gels (6 nm pore size). The presence of methanol and amorphous silica significantly impacted hydrate formation, with methanol potentially influencing the local structure around the hydrate phase and silica hindering hydrate growth through dynamic interactions with CO2 molecules. In addition, we elucidated the complex interplay between CO2, water, and methanol (hydrate inhibitor) within the constrained environments of porous media, offering strategic insights for the development of effective CO2 injection and sequestration strategies. Integrating molecular-level observations with real-world geological modeling presents a novel methodology for enhancing the safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of carbon capture and storage operations. The findings of this study provide critical insights into hydrate phase behavior, highlighting the importance of precise equilibrium determination under simulated reservoir conditions to effectively anticipate and mitigate hydrate formation challenges.

ВЫБОР ТЕХНОЛОГИИ ДЛИТЕЛЬНОГО ХРАНЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОЙ ТЕХНИКИ С ПОМОЩЬЮ ПРОГРАММЫ ДЛЯ ЭВМ

Abstract. The newly developed computer program "Calculation of the economic efficiency of the technology of preparation and application of anticorrosive materials for protection of agricultural machinery from corrosion" is presented in the paper. An example of the program use is consistently shown when comparing two technologies of long-term storage of machinery, including the preparation of preservative materials BBM and IBM, and their 2 options of equipment for application - using a pneumatic paint sprayer SO-19 and a portable sprayer PRK-1-2 (option 1), as well as spraying using spray guns RADEX RRP 20114 and FUBAG S750 (option 2). It is assumed that the preservative materials are prepared by the agro-industrial enterprise itself, since the necessary components and technical means are widely available. As a result of the program operation, it was revealed that the cost of preparing the same volumes of IBM is lower than the cost of BBM by 5.1 rubles / liter. The economic effect of preparing IBM was 1020 rubles / year. The costs of applying the preservative material using SO19 were 152.4 rubles/l, while using the PRK-1-2 sprayer they were 89.4 rubles/l. The economic effect of replacing SO-19 when applying the preservative material with the PRK-1-2 was 11,334.2 rubles/year. The total economic effect of using the IBM material and spraying using the PRK-1-2 was 12,354.2 rubles/year. For the second version of equipment for applying preservative materials, the application costs were 191.2 rubles/l for RADEX RRP 20114 and 168.1 rubles/l for FUBAG S750, therefore, the FUBAG S750 spray gun turned out to be more economical and the economic effect of application with it was 4165.1 rubles/year, the effect of using IBM material and the FUBAG S750 spray gun was 5185.1 rubles/year.

Diagnosis of GHG Emissions in an Offshore Oil and Gas Production Facility

This work presents a diagnosis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms for oil and gas production offshore, using calculation methodologies from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To carry out this analysis, design data of an FPSO platform is used for the GHG emissions estimation, considering operations under steady conditions and oil and gas processing system simulations in the Aspen HYSYS® software. The main direct emission sources of GHG are identified, including the main combustion processes (gas turbines for electric generation and gas turbine-driven CO2 compressors), flaring and venting, as well as fugitive emissions. The study assesses a high CO2 content in molar composition of the associated gas, an important factor that is considered in estimating fugitive emissions during the processes of primary separation and main gas compression. The resulting information indicates that, on average, 95% of total emissions are produced by combustion sources. In the latest production stages of the oil and gas field, it consumes 2 times more energy and emits 2.3 times CO2 in terms of produced hydrocarbons. This diagnosis provides a baseline and starting point for the implementation of energy efficiency measures and/or carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies on the FPSO in order to reduce CO2 and CH4 emissions, as well as identify the major sources of emissions in the production process.

Use of Sustainable Energy Systems in Educational Institutions

Educational institutions like other public and private organizations should try to eliminate their carbon footprint for the achievement of the ambitious 2050 target of net-zero carbon emissions. Several mature, reliable and cost-effective sustainable energy technologies can be used in these institutions replacing the use of fossil fuels and reducing their carbon emissions. Solar energy, wind energy and biomass can be used for heat and electricity generation replacing the use of oil, gas and grid electricity. Additionally, various low-carbon emission technologies including heat pumps, co-generation systems, fuel cells, district heating systems and power storage technologies can be also used in them. The combined use of these technologies in schools, colleges and universities can replace the current use of conventional energy sources reducing or completely eliminating their carbon emissions. The abovementioned benign energy technologies are already used commercially in several sectors proving their reliability and cost-effectiveness. It has been indicated that a plethora of green energy technologies can be used in educational institutions eliminating their carbon footprint achieving the desired global 2050 target of net-zero carbon emissions. Our results could be useful to policy makers and to the authorities of schools, colleges and universities who are willing to promote their environmental sustainability, achieving economic benefits and offering valuable educational opportunities to students.